It’s hard to imagine the OPM of the 2000s without the big choruses and catchy riffs of Sponge Cola. A band formed by university theatre guild buddies Yael Yuzon and Gosh Dilay, their anthems of love and life in the big city are influenced by guitar-driven ‘80s classics as much as pop, rock and later-period grunge. Their soft verse/loud chorus songcraft found widespread success as singles like “Klsp” and “Bitiw” became radio staples, adored by the teen and college crowds. And their drive to chronicle the urban hustle and bustle remains undiminished, even on 2019’s Sea of Lights.